**Subject:** Summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2466 Regarding Non-Utilization of Funds under Central Pollution Scheme
**Date:** October 26, 2023
**Summary:**
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2466, addressed on August 4, 2025, concerning the underutilization of funds allocated for pollution control under the Central Pollution Scheme in fiscal year 2024-25.
The Ministry acknowledged the observation made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change in its 392nd report on Demands for Grants 2025-26. While the report highlighted the non-utilization of a majority of funds, the Ministry clarified that this should be viewed in the context of the combined allocation for fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26.
In March 2025, the Cabinet approved a total of Rs. 1949.80 crore for both FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26, with the provision that unutilized funds from FY 2024-25 would be carried over and reallocated to FY 2025-26. Therefore, there was no actual loss or surrender of funds for the scheme in FY 2024-25.
In the current fiscal year 2025-26, the Ministry has received Rs. 853.90 crore under Budget Estimate (BE) 2025-26 and has released Rs. 410.885 crore under the Central Sector Scheme 'Control of Pollution' to date. The Ministry asserts that it has implemented measures, including advance planning and timely execution of proposals, to ensure the utilization of the budgetary allocation under the scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and climate change policies.
Central Pollution Scheme: A scheme by the Indian government aimed at controlling pollution.
Adoor Prakash: Member of Parliament who raised a question about the non-utilization of funds under the Central Pollution Scheme.
Kirti Vardhan Singh: Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change: A department-related parliamentary committee.
Demands for Grants 202526: A report on the financial demands for grants related to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
FY 202425: Financial Year 2024-2025
FY 202526: Financial Year 2025-2026
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2466
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Non-utilization of Funds under Central Pollution Scheme
2466. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government noted the observation of the Parliamentary Panel that majority
of funds allocated for control of pollution under Central Pollution Scheme in 2024-25
has not been utilized;
(b) if so, the details thereof:
(c) the reasons for underutilization of funds while the country is facing significant pollution
challenges; and
(d) whether the Government has taken any action in this regard, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change acknowledged the para
2.3 and 5.4 of the 392nd report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) of the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (demand no. 28) of the Department-related
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and
Climate Change.
The utilization of funds in FY 2024-25 'Control of Pollution' scheme in March, 2025 is
to be seen in the context of clubbing together of funds for FY 2024-25 & 2025-26. The Cabinet
approved an amount of Rs. 1949.80 crore for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 in March, 2025
along with the direction that unutilised funds of FY 2024-25 will be carried over/ re-allocated
to FY 2025-26. There is no actual loss/surrender of any amount in the scheme for 2024-25
Ministry has received Rs.853.90 crore in the current FY 2025-26 (under BE 2025-26)
and funds of Rs.410.885 crore has since been released under the Central Sector Scheme
‘Control of Pollution’ so far. The Ministry has taken all possible measures like advance
planning, preparation and execution of proposals pertaining to 'Control of Pollution’ Scheme
in a time bound manner to utilize the budgetary allocation under the scheme.
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